Many women have made an impact on Virginia State Parks. In this blog, I want to share the story of Anne Reeder who retires on April 1, 2024, with 36 years and 10 months of state service.

I have known Anne for two years and in the time that I spent working with her it was clear to see how passionate she was about her job in Virginia State Parks. She was always optimistic about park projects, very easy to talk to and always knew the best way to get things done. Through experience in the field and being open to new ideas she allowed each park she worked at to grow in one way or another.

How it all began

Anne’s career in Virginia State Parks started in 1987 where she was hired as Chief Ranger at Staunton River State Park. She learned very quickly how to be a team player and a good leader.

“Back in 1987 most snack bars and swimming areas were operated by private citizens called concessionaires,” said Reeder. “The one at Staunton River had decided to not come back so the park staff had to take over the operation. It was a learning experience for all staff, and I was the one to oversee the operation of it.”

Staunton River State Park's visitor center

She enjoyed meeting new people and liked the opportunities to interact with park guests, especially those who traveled from various parts of the world. She could always connect with people and was happy to help wherever she was needed. Anne recalled a story where she and her coworkers helped rescue a cow from the river after a major flood. While that isn’t a typical day of work, she enjoyed having different adventures each day.

Hard work pays off and Anne was promoted to Assistant Superintendent at Natural Tunnel State Park in 1989 where she enjoyed gaining more experience in the field before moving to Claytor Lake State Park in 1991.

Claytor Lake State Park

It was there that she would meet her husband and decide to continue expanding her career in Virginia State Parks.

In 1994 she then moved to Smith Mountain Lake State Park as a lateral transfer. She helped the park’s Friends Group get started and really enjoyed working with so many wonderful people.

She got married in 1996 and remained at the park until 2001 when she was promoted to Park Manager at Twin Lakes State Park. She also helped manage Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park which was unique.

“All parks have the same goals of preserving the environment and having a clean safe place for our guests,” said Reeder. “Sailor’s Creek Battlefield was different in the sense of understanding the Civil War history and being able to provide those programs to visitors. It was exciting to be a part of developing the park’s visitor center and sharing the park’s story with the guests.”

Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park

After more than a decade of managing Twin Lakes, Anne decided it was time to make one more move. In 2012 she relocated to Holliday Lake State Park as Park Manager and little did she know that it would be this location that she would call home until retirement.

Working at Holliday Lake

In addition to the exciting new opportunities, Anne’s move to Holliday Lake allowed her husband to have a shorter drive to his workplace in Lynchburg. She really enjoyed the beauty of the park and found out quickly that the town is full of great people and that her staff care deeply about providing the proper maintenance to the park for the guests. She also met several governors when they stopped by the park.

Governor Terry McAuliffe with Anne Reeder and the team at Holliday Lake State Park.

While Holliday Lake can be considered off the beaten path, it’s very pristine and this remote location is great for daily adventures as well as serves as the perfect getaway location.

“The area is trying to grow to become a destination rather than a quick day-visit,” explained Reeder. “A great group of business partners in the area will make this happen as many rely on the state parks to bring in visitors to the area. I enjoyed making many community connections to bring more awareness and boost attendance to the park.”

While being a park manager means more responsibility, Anne understands the benefits of being a team player. She valued the work her employees did and was never afraid to jump in and take on projects alongside her team.

Learn about the Virginia Green Travel All-Star Award eared by Holliday Lake State Park in 2023. Left: Meggan Saul; Right: Anne Reeder.

“I found that if you treat people the way you want to be treated, things will get done faster,” said Reeder. “You also must be out in the park, be a team player and do all tasks that others do. I take pride knowing that I am making a difference in protecting the environment while providing a safe place for guests to enjoy.”

Anne made many friends during her career and those who worked with her always have nice things to say about her.

“Anne carried the spirit of Virginia State Parks with her wherever she went, keeping the core values of visitor experience in mind while protecting and highlighting our natural and cultural resources, said Central District Manager Bryce Wilk. “She appreciated the finer details as well, often referencing a spring bloom of red buds on weekly reports as well as the excitement to see black bears around the park. In addition, she was a dead shot in cornhole with many park staff considering her the best player in our ranks.”

Holliday Lake State Park staff will miss Anne but they all wish her well in her next chapter in life.

Holliday Lake State Park

Park staff has commented about how wonderful Anne has been to work for and that she's been a good leader as a boss. They also shared that she has always been open to new ideas and park programs that benefit the community. Her passion for conservation combined with her compassion for humans and animals will be missed.

What’s next for Anne?

Retirement won’t slow Anne down as she has many projects and activities planned for her next phase in life.

“I plan to setup my new house,” said Reeder. “I hope to get better at fishing and golf, plus be able to enjoy more time with my family. I’m very fortunate to have met and worked with great people that care about the parks and take such pride in making sure that they are protected for the next generation.”

When asked if she has any advice for those considering a career in state parks, Anne had some words of encouragement to share, “People considering this type of career need to understand the outdoors, care for people and be willing to learn from others. The parks belong to all and staff are the stewards of these wonderful lands.”